Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Fish Mahlalela, took an active role in engaging the community of Kannaland Local Municipality, Western Cape Province, to advance rural and communitycentric tourism. ### The Imbizo
On September 14, 2023, Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressed the media to inform the public of the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting that took place on September 13, 2023. The briefing was held at the Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, located within the Tshedimosetso House in Hatfield, Pretoria.
On September 14, 2023, Dr. Joe Phaahla, the Minister of Health, will visit the Eastern Cape province of South Africa as part of an ongoing provincial support program to evaluate healthcare service delivery. This visit offers an opportunity to discuss potential interventions that could improve the situation for the province’s healthcare system.
It has been a year since the tailings dam in Jagersfontein collapsed, causing severe damage to the environment, water resources, and human lives. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has taken a multifaceted approach to address the aftermath of the tragedy. The goal is to hold responsible parties accountable, rehabilitate polluted water resources, restore water and sanitation services, and prevent such disasters in the future.
To revive the spirit of campaigns against littering in Cape Town, Bingo, the city’s new lovable and friendly antilitter mascot, is visiting various primary schools as part of the annual #SpringCleanCT initiative. Along with Mayor Geordin HillLewis and Alderman Grant Twigg, the Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Bingo visited Caradale Primary School in Mitchells Plain on September 13, 2023, to encourage the young students to keep their beloved city clean.
When it comes to community safety, we often think of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and paramedics. However, there is a group of professionals whose role in ensuring a secure and healthy built environment is equally important city building inspectors. In Cape Town, these dedicated individuals are safeguarding communities, particularly in less privileged areas. In this article, we highlight the work of three passionate inspectors who are committed to promoting safe construction practices and fostering community development.
Recent reports reveal that police inefficiencies have caused 283 cases in the Western Cape to be removed from the court roll, leaving victims and their families in limbo. Out of these cases, 84 involved murder and 77 were related to genderbased violence (GBV). This grim situation calls for immediate action to ensure that the victims receive justice.
Minister Ronald Lamola delivered a compelling keynote address at the 3rd South African Institute of Government Auditors Annual Conference on September 14, 2023. The event aimed to spark meaningful discussions around the crucial role of auditors in society and promote the foundational principles and ethos of the South African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA).
Drugresistant tuberculosis (DRTB) is a growing global health threat, with high mortality rates, exorbitant treatment costs, and increased transmission risks. In 2021, there were approximately 450,000 DRTB cases reported worldwide, resulting in 191,000 deaths. South Africa has one of the highest DRTB burdens, but only half of the patients initiate treatment.
In January 2022, a Cape Town law enforcement officer, Luvolwethu Kati, allegedly shot and killed a homeless man, Dumisani Joxo, in the Rondebosch area. The incident has since been the subject of a murder trial, with Kati’s colleague, Unathi Govuza, providing a harrowing account of the events that unfolded that day.
The 15th Annual Govtech Conference, centered around the theme “Platform Economy for Digital Transformation and Inclusive Growth,” focused on the potential of the platform economy to drive change in various sectors. Held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, the conference brought together diverse stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mr. Mondli Gungubele, and senior government officials.
The Department of Employment and Labour has announced two upcoming conferences that will focus on the crucial role of labour inspectors in ensuring fair working conditions and protecting vulnerable workers. The events will be held in KwaZuluNatal and the Eastern Cape, providing a platform for inspectors from all provinces to engage in conversations about compliance with labour legislation.
The City of Cape Town and the Water Research Commission (WRC) have partnered to provide innovative sanitation solutions for informal settlements. This groundbreaking initiative, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to install climateresistant Community Reinvented Toilets across highdensity settlements in the city.
In Limpopo Province, South Africa, the Public Employment Service (PES) unit of the Department of Employment and Labour is implementing an innovative approach to youth empowerment. They are launching a series of community outreach programs from September 13 to 29, aimed at equipping the young residents of Capricorn District Municipality with vital information and skills for jobseeking, informed career decisions, and access to training and development opportunities.
Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille recently met with stakeholders in the Overberg region of the Western Cape to address key issues and provide updates on the state of tourism. The meeting was aimed at boosting the recovery of the tourism industry and contributing to the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is launching an initiative aimed at conducting Employment Equity Hearings, focused on reviewing gender transformation in both the public and private sectors. On September 14, 2023, the CGE will call prominent entities such as Clover SA, the Department of Small Business Development, and the Department of Water and Sanitation to account for the slow pace of gender transformation within their organizations.